Is A cobbler Vegan?

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What is a Cobbler?

A cobbler is a baked dessert consisting of a fruit filling poured into a large, deep baking dish and covered with a batter or dough before being baked. Cobblers originated in the United Kingdom and became popular in North America during the early colonial period. They are similar to pies and crisps, but with a thicker, biscuit-like topping.

Traditional cobbler fillings are made by cooking fresh or frozen fruits on the stovetop with sugar, butter, spices, and a starch like flour or cornstarch to thicken the filling. The fruit mixture is then poured into a baking dish before the topping is added. The topping generally consists of a biscuit dough or batter, but can also be made from pie dough, cake batter, or even crushed cookies or cereal.

Common Cobbler Fillings and Toppings

Some of the most popular fruits used in cobblers are:

Peaches
Blackberries
Blueberries

Cherries
Apples
Strawberries

Cobbler toppings may include:

Biscuit dough – Most traditional type of topping. Flaky and buttery rounds of biscuit dough are placed over the fruit filling.
Pie dough – Slices of pie dough or dumplings can be used in place of biscuit dough.

Cake batter – Cake-like batter is spooned over the filling like a cobbler or deep dish cake.
Crushed cookies or cereal – Cookies like gingersnaps or graham crackers can be crushed and sprinkled over the fruit as a topping.

The biscuit dough or other topping bakes around the fruit filling, soaking up the fruit juices and forming a crispy top crust. This allows the flavors of the filling and topping to combine into a delicious baked dessert.

Are Traditional Cobblers Vegan?

Traditional cobbler recipes are generally not vegan because they contain dairy products and eggs. Specifically:

The biscuit or pie dough topping normally contains butter or shortening.
Some cobbler batters include milk, buttermilk, or cream.

Egg is sometimes used as a binder in the cobbler topping.
The fruit filling is often thickened with butter.

These animal-derived ingredients would make most cobblers unsuitable for a vegan diet. However, there are ways to modify and adapt cobbler recipes to make them completely plant-based and vegan.

How to Make a Vegan Cobbler

Making a vegan version of a classic cobbler is simple by substituting the dairy and eggs with plant-based ingredients:

Vegan Cobbler Filling

The fruit cobbler filling itself is typically vegan already. You can use any fresh, frozen, or canned fruits you like. Thicken it with:

Cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of a roux with butter

Lemon juice or vegan yogurt for tanginess instead of buttermilk

Flavor the filling with vegan sugar, spices, and extracts only.

Vegan Cobbler Topping

For a vegan cobbler crust:

Use plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk in place of dairy milk
Swap the butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil
Replace the eggs with ground flax or chia seeds mixed with water

Bind together flour, leavening, salt, and sugar using cold vegan butter cut into the dry ingredients

This eggless, dairy-free dough can be dropped on top in biscuits, shaped into dumplings, or layered like pie dough. Other vegan topping ideas include crushed gingersnaps, granola, or crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.

Vegan Cobbler Baking Tips

To ensure your vegan cobbler comes out perfectly:

Grease the baking dish well to prevent sticking
Bake at 375°F on the middle rack for 35-45 minutes
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center

Allow cobbler to cool 15 minutes before serving
Serve warm with non-dairy ice cream or creamer if desired

Easy Vegan Cobbler Recipes

Here are 3 delicious and easy vegan cobbler recipes to try:

1. Vegan Peach Cobbler

* Toss peaches with sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a bowl
* Pour into a greased 8×8 casserole dish
* In another bowl, mix flours, sugar, baking powder and salt
* Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
* Stir in almond milk until just combined
* Drop large spoonfuls of batter over the peaches
* Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, until topping is golden brown

2. Easy Vegan Berry Cobbler

* Gently mix berries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice and pour into an ungreased 8-inch square dish.
* In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
* Pour in non-dairy milk and melted butter and stir just until blended.
* Drop spoonfuls of batter over fruit.
* Bake at 375°F for 40–50 minutes, until topping is golden.

3. Easy Apple Crisp Cobbler

* Toss apples, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch in a bowl and pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish.
* In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, salt, oats and walnuts.
* Cut in cold butter until mixture becomes crumbly.
* Sprinkle over the apples and gently pat down.
* Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes until apples are tender and topping is crisp.

Are Store-Bought Cobbler Mixes Vegan?

When shopping for cobbler mixes in stores or online, check the ingredients list carefully to ensure the mix is vegan friendly. Many commercial brands may contain:

Milk or buttermilk powder
Egg powder

Honey
Cheese
Gelatin

However, there are some vegan-approved cobbler mixes available:

Simple Mills Almond Flour Cobbler Mix – Uses almond flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and spices for topping. Just add non-dairy milk and fruit.
Namaste Foods Gluten Free Organic Cobbler Mix – Consists of organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca flour, vegan sugar, and baking powder.

Cherrybrook Kitchen Cobbler Mix – Dairy-free and egg-free baking mix made from rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, and pear juice.
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – This classic mix can be used as a handy topping over fruit by adding non-dairy milk in place of eggs and butter.

Always check the label since ingredients can change. You can also make your own homemade vegan cobbler mix using dry ingredients like flour, sugar, leavening, and spices to keep on hand.

Vegan Cobbler Topping Ideas

A cobbler topping provides great texture and flavor contrast to the sweet, juicy fruit filling. Besides a traditional biscuit dough topping, here are some creative ideas for vegan cobbler toppings:

Granola – Use homemade or store-bought granola sprinkled over the fruit.
Rolled oats – For an easy streusel-like topping.

Chopped nuts – Pecans, walnuts, or almonds add crunch.
Coconut flakes – Toasted flakes provide coconutty flavor.
Crushed cookies – Vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, or chocolate sandwich cookies crumbled on top.

Chopped dried fruit – Try raisins, cranberries, apricots or dates for chew.
Vegan cornbread batter – Pour corn muffin batter over fruit for a cake-like topping.
Puffed grains – Try crispy puffed rice, quinoa, millet or amaranth.

Crumbled breakfast cereal – Use vegan granola or Chex for texture.

Get creative and use whatever crunchy, crispy toppings appeal to you over fresh baked fruit. The possibilities are endless for plant-based cobbler toppings!

Are There Gluten-Free Vegan Cobbler Options?

Yes, you can definitely make gluten-free vegan cobblers by using gluten-free flours and grains. Here are some options:

Gluten-Free Flours

Almond flour
Coconut flour

Oat flour
Bean flours like chickpea or lentil flour
Buckwheat flour

Brown rice flour
Millet flour

Gluten-Free Grains

Rolled oats or oat flour
Quinoa flakes
Cornmeal or polenta

Buckwheat groats
Millet
Ground nuts

You can substitute any of the flours or grains above 1:1 for regular wheat flour in your favorite cobbler recipe. Be sure to use other gluten-free ingredients like sugar, leavening, and thickeners. Check that any mixes or pre-made ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Vegan Cobbler Serving Ideas

Cobblers are so versatile and can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Here are some delicious ways to serve your vegan cobbler:

Warm with non-dairy ice cream – Classic cobbler combo!

With vegan yogurt – Try coconut or almond milk yogurt.
With coconut whipped cream – For an extra decadent topping.
With your morning coffee or tea – Cobbler also makes a tasty breakfast.

Topped with granola – For added crunch.
With a drizzle of caramel sauce – For something sweet and sticky.
With a dollop of nut butter – Almond or cashew butter are perfect options.

With fresh fruit – Berries, peach slices, or orange segments taste great.
As cobbler pancakes – Bake batter in pancake rings or muffin tins.

You really can’t go wrong when you top a warm fruity cobbler with something creamy, crunchy, or sweetly drizzled on top. Use your imagination with plant-based toppings!

Benefits of Vegan Cobbler

Choosing to make a vegan cobbler has some excellent benefits:

Healthier – Without dairy and eggs, it’s lower in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Nutritious – Packed with antioxidants from fresh fruit and whole grains from the topping.

Customizable – Endless possibilities for creative, tasty fruit fillings and toppings.
Inclusive – Suitable for vegans, lactose intolerant, egg allergies, gluten-free diets, and more!
Compassionate – Aligns with ethical reasons to avoid dairy and eggs.

Sustainable – More eco-friendly without relying on factory farm products.

Whipping up a homemade plant-based cobbler is easy, delicious, and open to your favorite fruits and flavors. Vegan cobblers are fun to make and share with family and friends too!

Conclusion

While traditional cobblers with buttery biscuit toppings are not vegan, there are many great ways to adapt recipes using plant-based milk, butter, and egg substitutes. With a fruit cobbler filling and creative mix of flours, crumbs, cereals or crunchy toppings, you can make a totally delicious vegan cobbler at home. Cobblers made without dairy or eggs align with compassionate, healthier, and environmentally-conscious lifestyles. Experiment with your favorite fruits and flavors for a warm, fruity cobbler that everyone will enjoy!